The Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Breast Engorgement in Postpartum Women

Results: The MLD group had significant reductions in pain and breast engorgement at all postintervention days compared with the control and KT group (p < 0.05). Milk volume increased among three groups, but the change in the MLD group was higher than in the KT and control groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the milk volume among the KT and control groups at all postintervention days (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: MLD relieved breast pain and firmness more and increased milk volume in postpartum women compared with the KT and control groups. MLD can be recommended to postnatal mothers to better manage breast engorgement.

Source: Breastfeeding Medicine